Multiple configuration switching assembly

Abstract

A switching assembly includes an operating assembly and a fixed contact assembly including a first fixed contact, a second fixed contact, a third fixed contact, a fourth fixed contact, and a number of terminals. The number of terminals includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The switching assembly also includes a movable contact assembly that includes a first movable contact and a second movable contact. The first movable contact is movable between a first position and a second position. The second movable contact is movable between a first position and a second position. The operating assembly is coupled to the movable contact assembly and moves the first and second movable contact assemblies between the first and second positions. The switching assembly also includes a shunt assembly including a number of shunts. The shunt assembly is configured in one of a series configuration or a parallel configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A switching assembly comprising:
 an operating assembly; 
 a fixed contact assembly including a first fixed contact, a second fixed contact, a third fixed contact, a fourth fixed contact, and a number of terminals; 
 said number of terminals including a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, wherein each of said number of terminals is structured to be coupled to a conductive member that is coupled to either a line or a load; 
 said first terminal coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said first fixed contact; 
 said second terminal coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said third fixed contact; 
 said third terminal coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said fourth fixed contact; 
 a movable contact assembly including a first movable contact and a second movable contact; 
 said first movable contact movable between a first position, wherein said first movable contact is spaced from said fixed contact assembly, and a second position, wherein said first movable contact is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said first fixed contact and said second fixed contact; 
 said second movable contact movable between a first position, wherein said second movable contact is spaced from said fixed contact assembly, and a second position, wherein said second movable contact is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said third fixed contact and said fourth fixed contact; 
 said operating assembly coupled to said movable contact assembly and structured to move said first movable contact and said second movable contact between said first and second positions; 
 a shunt assembly including a number of shunts including a first shunt and a second shunt; and 
 said shunt assembly configurable in a series configuration in which the first shunt is disposed between, and in electrical communication with, said second fixed contact and said fourth fixed contact such that when said first movable contact and said second movable contact are in said second position, a current path extends from said first terminal to said second terminal, and a parallel configuration in which said first shunt is disposed between, and in electrical communication with, said second fixed contact and said fourth fixed contact, and, the second shunt is disposed between, and in electrical communication with, said first fixed contact and said third fixed contact such that when said first movable contact and said second movable contact are in said second position, a bifurcated current path extends from said first terminal to said third terminal. 
 
     
     
       2. The switching assembly of  claim 1  wherein said current path extends through said first terminal, said first fixed contact, said first movable contact assembly, said, second fixed contact, said first shunt, said fourth fixed contact, said second movable contact assembly, said third fixed contact and said second terminal. 
     
     
       3. The switching assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 said bifurcated current path includes a first current path and a second current path; 
 said first current path extends through said first terminal, said first fixed contact, said first movable contact assembly, said, second fixed contact, said first shunt, said fourth fixed contact, and said third terminal; 
 said second current path extends through said first terminal, said first fixed contact, said second shunt, said third fixed contact, said second movable contact assembly, said fourth fixed contact, and said third terminal. 
 
     
     
       4. The switching assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 each of said first fixed contact, said second fixed contact, said third fixed contact, and said fourth fixed contact have a substantially similar configuration; 
 each of said first movable contact and said second movable contact have a substantially similar configuration; and 
 each shunt is substantially similar to any other shunt. 
 
     
     
       5. The switching assembly of  claim 4  wherein:
 said first fixed contact, said second fixed contact, said third fixed contact, and said fourth fixed contact are disposed in a substantially symmetric pattern; and 
 said first movable contact and said second movable contact are disposed in a substantially symmetric pattern. 
 
     
     
       6. The switching assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 said shunt assembly includes a sensor assembly including a number of sensors; 
 each said sensor coupled to a shunt; and 
 each said sensor structured to detect a current characteristic of the current passing through the associated shunt. 
 
     
     
       7. The switching assembly of  claim 6  wherein said sensor assembly includes a microprocessor circuit structured to measure the current passing through each shunt. 
     
     
       8. The switching assembly of  claim 1  wherein, in relation to the series configuration, the parallel configuration is about a 2*V s  and 0.5 A s  configuration. 
     
     
       9. A switching assembly comprising:
 an operating assembly; 
 a fixed contact assembly including a first fixed contact, a second fixed contact, a third fixed contact, a fourth fixed contact, and a number of terminals; 
 said number of terminals including a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal; 
 said first terminal coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said first fixed contact; 
 said second terminal coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said third fixed contact; 
 said third terminal coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said fourth fixed contact; 
 a movable contact assembly including a first movable contact and a second movable contact; 
 said first movable contact movable between a first position, wherein said first movable contact is spaced from said fixed contact assembly, and a second position, wherein said first movable contact is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said first fixed contact and said second fixed contact; 
 said second movable contact movable between a first position, wherein said second movable contact is spaced from said fixed contact assembly, and a second position, wherein said second movable contact is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said third fixed contact and said fourth fixed contact; 
 said operating assembly coupled to said movable contact assembly and structured to move said first movable contact and said second movable contact between said first and second positions; 
 a shunt assembly including a number of shunts; and 
 said shunt assembly configured in one of a series configuration or a parallel configuration; 
 wherein, in relation to the series configuration, the parallel configuration is about a 2*V s  and 0.5 A s  configuration; 
 when said shunt assembly is disposed in said series configuration, a current of about 270 VDC and about 500 amps passes through said second terminal; and 
 when said shunt assembly is disposed in said parallel configuration, a current of about 540 VDC and about 250 amps passes through said third terminal. 
 
     
     
       10. The switching assembly of  claim 9  wherein:
 when said shunt assembly is disposed in said series configuration, said shunt assembly includes a first shunt disposed between, and in electrical communication with, said second fixed contact and said fourth fixed contact; and 
 wherein, when said first movable contact and said second movable contact are in said second position, a current path extends from said first terminal to said second terminal. 
 
     
     
       11. The switching assembly of  claim 10  wherein said current path extends through said first terminal, said first fixed contact, said first movable contact assembly, said, second fixed contact, said first shunt, said fourth fixed contact, said second movable contact assembly, said third fixed contact and said second terminal. 
     
     
       12. The switching assembly of  claim 9  wherein:
 when said shunt assembly is disposed in said parallel configuration, said shunt assembly includes a first shunt and a second shunt, said first shunt disposed between, and in electrical communication with, said second fixed contact and said fourth fixed contact, and, said second shunt disposed between, and in electrical communication with, said first fixed contact and said third fixed contact; and 
 wherein, when said first movable contact and said second movable contact are in said second position, a bifurcated current path extends from said first terminal to said third terminal. 
 
     
     
       13. The switching assembly of  claim 12  wherein:
 said bifurcated current path includes a first current path and a second current path; 
 said first current path extends through said first terminal, said first fixed contact, said first movable contact assembly, said, second fixed contact, said first shunt, said fourth fixed contact, and said third terminal; 
 said second current path extends through said first terminal, said first fixed contact, said second shunt, said third fixed contact, said second movable contact assembly, said fourth fixed contact, and said third terminal. 
 
     
     
       14. The switching assembly of  claim 9  wherein:
 each of said first fixed contact, said second fixed contact, said third fixed contact, and said fourth fixed contact have a substantially similar configuration; 
 each of said first movable contact and said second movable contact have a substantially similar configuration; and 
 each shunt is substantially similar to any other shunt. 
 
     
     
       15. The switching assembly of  claim 14  wherein:
 said first fixed contact, said second fixed contact, said third fixed contact, and said fourth fixed contact are disposed in a substantially symmetric pattern; and 
 said first movable contact and said second movable contact are disposed in a substantially symmetric pattern. 
 
     
     
       16. The switching assembly of  claim 9  wherein:
 said shunt assembly includes a sensor assembly including a number of sensors; 
 each said sensor coupled to a shunt; and 
 each said sensor structured to detect a current characteristic of the current passing through the associated shunt. 
 
     
     
       17. The switching assembly of  claim 16  wherein said sensor assembly includes a microprocessor circuit structured to measure the current passing through each shunt.